October 1998

Falling from Grace

By Dick Ward

Did you know there are over twenty-five hundred (2,500) warnings in the Bible against man's FALLING FROM GRACE? The false doctrine of "impossibility of apostasy" or "once saved always saved" or "perseverance of the saints" is popular with several large denominations but not with God. This Calvinistic teaching, if it were true, would make man merely a machine. Before conversion, man can do nothing to be saved; after conversion, man can do nothing to be lost. The logical result of such unscriptural thinking makes it God's fault (since man can do nothing) if one is lost. Impossible! Unscriptural!

BELIEVE THESE WARNINGS

Please consider carefully, and believe, these Bible warnings:

1. "If thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off" I Chron. 28:9

2. "But if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you." 2 Chron 15:2

3. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" "When I have preached to others, I myself should be castaway" I Cor 10:12, 9:27

4. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentence" Heb 3:12; 6:4-6 (see :6)

5. "Christ is become of none effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; YE ARE FALLEN FROM GRACE." Galatians 5:4

These are but a few of the hundreds of warnings, scriptural warnings, against falling from grace. Notice - the Bible says, "whosoever of you are justified by the law; YE ARE FALLEN FROM GRACE" (see #5); but man says, "YE CANNOT FALL FROM GRACE!" Now, which do you believe? Surely all of us must take God's truth over the creeds and false doctrines of men. The choice is up to you, but the consequences of the wrong choice are severe.

THE EXAMPLE OF SIMON

The example of Simon, the sorcerer, should convince any Bible believer a child of God can so sin as to be lost. Luke the write of Acts, tells us, "Then Simon himself BELIEVED also.... he was BAPTIZED....and he CONTINUED with Philip" (Acts 8:13). How strained one is to argue Simon (He believes, is baptized and continues) was not really converted in the first place. Such reasoning (?) shows the weakness of this false teaching. Simon is guilty of sin (:18-20) and Peter, the inspired apostle, said to him, "Thy money PERISH WITH THEE," (see :20). This erring, baptized, believer (Simon) was going to "PERISH" if he did not repent and pray (:22). Friends, a child of God can be cut off from Christ by sin. A Christian can fall from grace and be lost!

[Editor’s Note: Thanks to Dick Ward for the article! This article was published in a newspaper column titled, "Did You Know?" in the Carrier Newspaper in Madison, Florida. He may be reached at: Dick Ward, 18 Eldorado East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405, (205) 556-2407.]

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com